My best friends.

I typically come home from work feeling tired, slightly irritable (okay, very irritable) and ranting about whatever Ann Arbor driver tried to cut me off. One of the few ways I can truly relax after a crazy day is getting my work out clothes on and hitting the gym.

That last sentence was a test, btw. I do not enjoy working out and if you believed it you’ve fallen prey to a hot new trend in writing called “the unreliable narrator.”

In truth my favourite way to relax is to change immediately into clothes I can describe as “Britney Spears on her off day.” Once I’m in my droopy sweatpants, I hit the couch for some pup-time. Dogs are the perfect drug. Sit with a dog who loves to snuggle, like my Andy, and I dare you not to feel the best high. Yes, this is a post dedicated to how amazing dogs are – Surprise!

Boomer.

 

I’ve had dogs my entire life. My parents brought home our family dog Boomer when I was 4 and I was so lucky to have him by my side for 15 years. In retrospect, Boomer was kind of an asshole. But he was an asshole the way I imagine an older brother would be an asshole. He gave me a hard time, like refusing to get off my bed so I would sleep on the floor, but he was always there for me and willing to give me so much love.

Soon after Boomer went to doggie heaven (it’s a real place), we brought Dooley into our lives. At first I wasn’t on board with getting another dog. Boomer was with me throughout my whole life and it felt like a betrayal. Especially because Dooley was a *gasp* SMALL DOG. I came around to Dooley as soon as we picked him up from the random breeder my parents found him at. Dooley is a tough pup in a little package. While I don’t get to see Dooley much anymore, I know he is keeping my parents happy and healthy. Doozer is very special to me because he was there for my dad during his cancer treatments when I couldn’t be.

I believe that Dooley helped my dad BEAT cancer.

He was a constant presence of support. When my dad was feeling too ill to do anything but lay in bed, Dooley would be there for him with zero judgment and wanting nothing in return other than a milk bone every now and then.  Imagine all that POWER wrapped up in 20 fluffy pounds?

Boomer.

Now I’ve got my two maniacs, Andy and Dexter. They bring me SO much contentment it’s ridiculous. Every weeknight Andy and I cuddle on the loveseat while we watch TV (He’s really into re-watching Happy Endings on Hulu). We have two dog beds and a larger couch but he chooses to sit right next to me. He gives the best cuddles and can make a bad mood better in 5 seconds or less. Dexter is sweet too but is more independent and is more sparing with his cuddles, but they’re still the best. Dexter likes to cuddle with me while I read on Sunday afternoons.

There are people who don’t like dogs and I don’t understand it, not one bit. Dogs are loving, kind, forgiving, funny, and attuned to our emotions more than you know. I talk to my dogs more than I talk to my husband! (Joking, but I might want to test that theory).

When I did my volunteer orientation for the Humane Society, we had to introduce ourselves and let the group know WHY we were there. So many people spoke up to say they live in apartments that don’t allow dogs, or they’re students who don’t have time to take care of a dog full time, but they just want to be around dogs and benefit from them. Imagine that? I thought it was genius. Dogs are used in therapy, for stress relief, they can detect health issues, they help people with disabilities…. The list goes on.

I just feel so grateful that I can have two amazing animals. Now, about that third dog I want….

Boomer.

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